Festival goers and walkers braved chilly
temperatures and rain to show support for Israel.

JULIE EDGAR SENIOR WRITER

GLENN TRIEST PHOTOGRAPHER

1111 ain and chilly winds may have
played a part in lessening the num-
ber of people celebrating Israel's
49th birthday Sunday at the an-
nual Walk for Israel and Incredible
Israel Fest.
Organizers said 3,000 people par-
ticipated in the festival, down from past years'
attendance, which has been as high as 10,000.
But while the weather dampened the
grounds, it did not halt the drive of many of the
Walk for Israel participants. Toting umbrellas
and wearing extra layers to ward off the un-
seasonable chill, hundreds of walkers made
the usual trek at noon, waving Israeli flags
from the start of the walk to its conclusion in
the Stuart J. Sachse Soccer Field behind the
West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center.
The day's activities were sponsored by the
Michigan/Israel Connection, the Jewish Fed-
eration of Metropolitan Detroit, The Jewish
News and the Jewish Community Center.
More people took part in the festival, sam-
pling kosher offerings in the food tent or play-
ing games and learning about Israel
opportunities in the tent sponsored by Jewish
Experiences For Families.
Those who did not brave the weather were
treated to an array of activities inside the JCC.
An obstacle course and an
open gym became havens
for the swarms of children
at the festival.
Others crammed into
Shiffman Hall to watch
Hillel Day School students
perform Israeli dances,
and to listen to the perfor-
mances of the Congrega-
tion Shaarey Zedek Youth
Choir and the Intergener-
ational Choir of the Jim-
my Prentis Morris Jewish
Community Center. An-
other big draw was Avi
Sasson, an Israeli singer
and songwriter who per-
formed popular Israeli
songs and some of his own
material. ❑

Top left: Ashley and Rory Faurieel, Ariana and
Alyssa Segal and Erika Saven hung out at the
festival after the walk.

-
C)
C)

Top: Funky Israel hats kept some participants, like
Hila Yaar, dry.

Lu

co

Above: Josh Hearshen carries the Israeli flag during
Sunday's Walk for Israel.

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